白白

báibái

adverb HSK 7-9 #8,642

Meanings

1 in vain
2 to no purpose
3 for nothing
4 needlessly

Characters

Reduplication of 白 intensifies the meaning 'in vain.'

Examples

HSK 3

别白白浪费时间了。

Bié báibái làngfèi shíjiān le.

Don't waste time for nothing.

HSK 6

这么好的机会白白错过了。

Zhème hǎo de jīhuì báibái cuòguò le.

Such a good opportunity was missed for nothing.

Tips

usage

白白 emphasizes that an action or result was pointless or wasted. It always precedes the verb: 白白+verb.

Stroke Order

白 bái